Universal Credit Not Working? Here’s What You Need to Know

Many users have reported issues accessing Gov.uk and HMRC websites since early this morning, according to Downdetector. The outages have affected people trying to log in, use the Gov.uk app, and access key government services, including Universal Credit pages. The issue comes after financial expert Martin Lewis urged people to check their National Insurance (NI) records to ensure they receive their full State Pension. His advice, shared on ITV, caused a surge in traffic to government websites, leading to login problems and access delays.

Gov.uk and HMRC Outages: What’s Happening?

Reports of problems started around 5 AM today, with users struggling to log into their accounts or access essential services on Gov.uk and HMRC websites.

• Some users specifically mentioned being unable to open the Universal Credit page.
• The Gov.uk app has also been experiencing technical issues.
• Outages were first noticed last night at 9 PM, coinciding with Martin Lewis’s State Pension and NI special on ITV.

His program highlighted the April 5 deadline for people to fill gaps in their National Insurance records, which could boost their State Pension by thousands of pounds. This led to a spike in people checking their NI records, potentially overwhelming the websites.

Why Is It Important to Check Your National Insurance Record?

If you have gaps in your National Insurance contributions, it could reduce the amount of State Pension you receive when you retire.

Key Facts About NI Contributions and the Deadline:

Normally, you can buy back NI contributions for up to six years. A temporary extension allows people to fill gaps dating back to 2006—but this ends on April 5, 2025. If you miss this deadline, you will only be able to make voluntary NI contributions for the past six tax years. Many people are unaware they have gaps in their records—by the time they retire, it may be too late to fix them.

How to Buy Back National Insurance Years

If you’re affected and want to fill in missing years, here’s what you need to do: Check your NI record on the Gov.uk website. Request a form to buy back missing years before April 5, 2025. If you can’t get through by phone, use the online call-back request form. The Government has assured that as long as you submit a request before the April 5 deadline, you will still be able to make voluntary contributions later.

What If You Can’t Get Through?

With high demand, some people are struggling to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). In response, the government has introduced a call-back request form on the Gov.uk website.

• If you submit a request by April 5, the DWP will call you back to discuss your payment options.
• The Government has stated they will prioritize resources to handle the increased demand.

A DWP spokesperson confirmed:

“If you submit a request by the April 5 deadline, you will still be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions after the deadline has passed.”

This measure is designed to ensure no one misses out due to website issues or long call waiting times. The recent Gov.uk and HMRC outages highlight the high demand for pension-related services, following Martin Lewis’s financial advice. With the April 5 deadline approaching, many people are rushing to check and correct their National Insurance records. If you haven’t checked your NI contributions yet, it’s advisable to do so as soon as possible—and submit a call-back request if needed to avoid missing out on pension benefits. SOURCE

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